Methods and apparatus for dispensing articles

ABSTRACT

Semiconductor diodes, enclosed in cylindrical bodies, are fed end to end in a column to a dispensing position adjacent to work positions in a rotating disc. A magnetic escapement releases one diode into each work position in the disc which carries each diode to a mechanism that performs an assembly operation on it. A ring magnet is fixed adjacent to each work position in the disc and an oppositely polarized ring magnet is fixed to a latch which engages the first of the diodes in the column. As the disc rotates and a work position approaches the dispensing position, the work position magnet attracts the latch magnet and withdraws the latch from engagement with the first diode. This releases the diode into the work position and allows the column to advance under the influence of gravity and/or a vibratory feeder. As the work position progresses further because of continued rotation of the disc, the work-position magnet returns the latch to its initial position so that the latch engages the next diode in the column.

Apr. 9, 1974 United States Patent [191 Beltz et al.

l METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING ARTICLES [75] Inventors: RichardK. Beltz, Hamburg; Charles R. Fegley, Laureldale, both of Pa.

Western Electric Company,

netic escapement releases one diode into each work [73] Assignee:

position in the disc which carries each diode to a Incorporated, NewYork, NY.

Mar. 1, 1973 App]. No.: 337,044

mechanism that performs an assembly operation on it.

[221 Filed: A ring magnet is fixed adjacent to each work position in thedisc and an oppositely polarized ring magnet is fixed to a latch whichengages the first of the diodes in the column. As the disc rotates and awork position approaches the dispensing position, the work position [52]US. 221/1, 221/270, 221/289 [51] Int. B65h 3/16 magnet attracts thelatch magnet and withdraws the latch from engagement with the firstdiode. This releases the diode into the work position and allows'thecolumn to advance under the influence of gravity and- /or a vibratoryfeeder. 'As the work position progresses further because of continuedrotation of the disc, the

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References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS work-position magnet returns thelatch to its initial po- 221/289 X sition so that they latch engages thenext diode in the 73/258 x column I Koda et al. 315/209 3,40l,832Cremieux........................ 3,248,583 Kullmann....... 3,359,455

20 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Stanley l-l. TollbergAssistant ExaminerJoseph J. Rolla Attorney, Agent, or FirmR. Y. PetersIATENTEDAPR 9 Ian I sum 1 or 4 1 METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSINGARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to methods and apparatus for dispensing articles and,more particularly, to methods and apparatus involving a magneticescapement for dispensing articles.

2. Description of the Prior Art I Many expedients for dispensingarticles exist. However, they entail the use of cam operated mechanisms,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the inventionto provide methods and apparatus for dispensing articles in which aminimum of wear occurs. I I

It is another object of the invention to providemethods and apparatusfor dispensing articles in which no control circuits are required.

With these and other objects in view,'the methods and apparatus of thepresent inventioncontemplate feeding generally cylindrical articles endto end in a column to a dispensing position which is adjacent a rotatingmember containing'a plurality of work positions. Ring magnets arepositioned in the rotating member, one in spaced relation to each workposition. A similar ring magnet is fixed a latch which cooperates withand retains the articles at the dispensing position. The rotating membercarries each work position past the dispensing position and, in doingso, the magnet associated with the work position first attracts thelatch away from the articles to release them as the work positionapproaches the dispensing position. Then, the

, feeder 24 into a chute 26 where they form a column of FIG. 8 is a planview of a straight-sided cylindrical article to be dispensed, dispensingposition, appropriate latch, and holding position in their startingpositions;

FIG. 9 is an elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 8 along line 99; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 with the latch in itsrelease position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2,semiconductor diodes 20 having shoulders 22 are fed from a vibratory thediodes 20. If it is desired to keep the slope of the chute 26 shallow,the chute may be mounted on a linear vibratory feeder 28 to increase thereliability of feeding. The chute 26 terminates in a dispensing position30 which can be understood more clearly by reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The dispensing position 30 is tubular and has a slot 32 to clear a tang34 on a latch 36 so that the tang may engage the shoulders 22 of thediodes 20. Also, the dispensing position 30 isrelieved, i.e., partiallycut away at 37 on the side away from the slot 34 (the left side in FIG.3) so that the diodes 20 may be moved, without interference from thedispensing position 30, by counterclockwise rotation of a disc'38.' I

The disc 38 contains work positions or holding positions 40 for thediodes 20. The holding positions 40 are evenly spaced in the disc 38.The holding positions 40 may be either through holes or. blind holesdepending 1 on whether access is needed. to perform an assembly magnetcarries the latch back again to engage and re- I tain the articles asthe work position arrives at the dis-- pensing position. Thus, thearticles are individually dispensed without the .need for controlcircuits or cam and lever devices which are prone to wear.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the apparatusof FIG. 3 with the latch in the release position;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 3 with the latchpartially returned 'to its starting position and ready to engage thenext diode;

FIG. 7 is a front'elevation of apparatus similar to that of FIG. 3except that the latch pivots, i.e., moves arcuately;

operation on one or both endsof the diodes 20. In eith'er case, the disc38 may bemade of a nonmagnetic center, such as molded plastic oraluminum, and a rim 39 of wear resistance material, such as hardenedsteel or ceramic. A ring magnet 42 is inserted in a counterbore in thedisc 38in .relation to each holding position 40. 7

Typically, the magnets are about 0.900 inches outside diameter, 0.400inches inside diameter and 0.240 inches thick, and may be secured inplace with a cement, such as that sold by the Eastman Kodak Companyunder the trade designation No. 910 Adhesive. Each magnet 42 ispositioned to lag its corresponding holding position 40 by approximately15 when the magnets are about 1.750 inches and the positions 40 areabout 2.750 inches from the center of the disc 38.

The disc 38 is mounted on the shaft of a stepping motor 44 and the motoris actuated to index each holding position 40 into alignment with thedispensing position 30. The indexing movement also carries the position40 into alignment with another position (not shown) where an assemblyoperation is performed.

However, it is to be understood that other mechanisms are available forindexing and any suitable means may be used to index the disc 38. Also,although a rotating disc 38 is shown for convenience for carrying theholding positions 40 and magnets 42 in a curvilinear manner past thedispensing position 30, the holding positions and magnets may be mountedon an endless conveyor and carried past the dispensing position 30 in alinear or straight line manner.

Where the holding position 40 is a through hole (rather than a blindone) as is the case for the diode 20 because operations must beperformed at both ends of the diode, a retaining member 46 is-provided.In addition, where the diodes 20 are not fully dispensed into theholding positions 40, an additional inserting member 48 having a lead-inportion 50 may be used.

The diodes 20 are restrained from and released for entering the holdingpositions 40 by the tang 34 on the latch 36. The structure and operationof the latch 36 can be understood best by reference to FIGS. 3 through7.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a holding position 40 is aligned withthe dispensing position 30 and the tang 34 engages the shoulder 22 ofone of the diodes 20. A ring magnet 52, which may be identical to thering magnet 42, is fixed in a counterbore formed in the body of a ballslide, such as that sold by Automation Gages, Inc. under the tradedesignation Miniature Ball-Slide J The magnet 52 is placed so that itwill align with a magnet 42 in the disc 38 at the point where the pathsof travel cross. The magnets 42 and 52 are magnetized axially andmounted with opposite poles adjacent each other so that they attract.

Starting from the position shown in FIG. 4, as the disc 38 rotatescounterclockwise, magnet 42 tries to pull the latch 36 to the left, butcannot because of a stop screw 56 in a stop 54. The latch 36 is held inthis position by the receding magnet 42 until an approaching magnet 42is nearer the latch 36 than the receding one.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the approaching magnet 42 attracts the latch 36and it moves to the right against a stop screw 58 in the stop 54. Thisdisengages the tang 34 from the shoulder 22 and releases the column ofdiodes 20.

Upon further counterclockwise rotation of the disc 38, the magnet 42aligns with the magnet 52 (refer to FIG. 6) and the latch 36 movespartway back toward its starting position.

Still further rotation of the disc 38 in the same direction aligns theholding position 40 with the dispensing position 30. At the same timethe magnet 42 attracts the latch 36 further to the left. The tang 34 onthe latch Alternate Latches Although the latch 36 moves linearly, thisis not essential and the latch may move arcuately. Indeed, in some casesthe arcuate movement may be preferable because of its lower cost andsimplicity. For example, a latch 60 (refer to FIG. 7) pivots about a pinor shoulder screw 62 between adjustable stop screws 64 and 66 and a tang68 engages the shoulder 22 of the diode 20. The latch 60 operates in thesame manner as the latch 36.

Where no shoulder or the equivalent is found on the article to bedispensed, e.g., straight-sided articles, the tangs 34 and 68 of latches36 and 60, respectively, may be constructed in a somewhat differentmanner.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the dispensing position 30 is providedwith a ledge 70, offset 72, and apertures 74. A tang 76 is provided withtwo prongs 78 which pass through the apertures 74 to engage one of thearticles 80. An aperture 82 in the tang 76 permits the escaping article80 to pass through the tang.

In operation, that article 80, which is the most advanced in a column ofarticles being fed to the dispensing position 30, rests against theinner face of the ledge 70. The tang 76 is held to the left bycounterclockwise rotation of the disc 38 and the attraction of disc andlatch magnets 42 and 52, respectively, so that the prongs 78 do notengage the article 80. This condition is maintained until the nextholding position 40 and its associated magnet 42 approach the latch 36and its magnet 52. As the magnets 42 and 52 near the aligned condition,the latch 36 is drawn to the right, refer to FIG. 10, so that the prongs78 push the most advanced article 80 from the ledge and the articlepasses through the aperture 82 into the holding position 40. At the sametime, the prong 78 adjacent the next most advanced article 80, engagesit and supports the column of articles 80. As the counterclockwiserotation of the disc 38 continues, the force of attraction between themagnets 42 and 52 carries the latch 36 to the left until the prong 78,in contact with what was the next most advanced article but is now themost advanced, disengages from it and allows the column to advance untilthe most advanced article rests against the ledge 70. The cycle is thenrepeated as the next holding position 40 and its associated magnet 42approach the dispensing position 30.

Thus, methods for dispensing articles and apparatus for carrying out themethods have been disclosed in which a minimum of wear occurs and nocontrol circuits are needed.

While specific embodiments have been described in the foregoingspecification to illustrate the invention, it will be understood thatthe invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various changes andmodifications may be made, e.g., electromagnets substituted forpermanent magnets, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is: 1. A method of dispensing articles, which comprisesthe steps of:

arranging the articles in a column; producing a magnetic field in apredetermined relationship to, and for movement with, each of aplurality of holding positions into each of which an article is to bedispensed from the'column;

engaging the articles in the column with a latch to support the articlesin the column;

moving each holding position and its field in sequence toward the columnof articles to withdraw the latch from engagement with the articles torelease them; and

moving each holding position and its field further in the same directionto return the latch to engagement with the articles in the column toagain support the articles remaining in the column whereby the articlesareindividually dispensed into the article holding positions.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of arranging thearticles includes vibratory feeding of the articles end to end.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the latch moves linearly intoand out of engagement with the articles, and the holding positions movearcuately.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein both the latch and the holdingpositions move arcuately.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein both the latch and the holdingpositions move linearly.

7. A method of dispensing articles, which comprises the steps of:

feeding the articles to a dispensing position, said position having aledge for retaining the articles and a latch, responsive to a magneticfield, working in cooperation with the ledge to disengage the articlestherefrom;

positioning a magnet in fixed relation to and for movement with each ofa plurality of holding positions into each of which an article is to bedispensed;

moving each holding position and its magnet in sequence into alignmentwith the dispensing position to attract the latch and disengage one ofthe articles from the ledge; and

moving each holding position and its magnet further in the samedirection to'return the latch to its initial position to enable theledge to retain the remaining articles, whereby the articles aredispensed individually into the holding positions.

8. An apparatus for dispensing articles, which comprises:

means for constraining the articles in an aligned relationship;

means for moving a plurality of work positions individually in a firstdirection past and in cooperation with the article constraining means;

magnetic means mounted ina spaced relationship to each work position formovement therewith; and means, mounted for movement relative to theconstraining means and responsive to the magnetic means, for releasingthe articles from the constraining means into the work positions uponmovement of the releasing means in a second direction opposite to thefirst direction, and for then retaining the remaining articles in theconstraining means upon the movement of the releasing means in the firstdirection, whereby the articles are dispensed individually into the workpositions.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the work positions and themagnetic means and the means for individually releasing and retainingthe articles move arcua tely.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means forindividually releasing and retaining the articles moves linearly.

11. An apparatus for dispensing shouldered articles into work positions,which comprises:

means for feeding the articles in a column to the work positions, eachof which accepts one article;

means for moving the work positions past the column of articles incooperation with the feeding means;

magnetic means fixed to the work-position moving means in spacedrelation to the work positions for movement therewith;

a latch for engaging the shoulder of one of the articles, the latchbeing slideably mounted with respect to the feeding means and responsiveto the magnetic means, so that the latch is withdrawn from engagementwith the shoulder of the most advanced article in the column by themagnetic means appreaching the feeding means, and is returned toengagement with the shoulder of the mext article by further movement ofthe magnetic means toward the feeding means, to release eacharticle intoone of the work positions.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 1, wherein the latch includes apermanent magnet to enhance its responsiveness to the magnetic means.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the means for moving thework positions is a rotary disc and the feeding means includes avibratory feed.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13,wherein the magnetic means andthe permanent magnet of the latch are ring magnets magnetized axiallywith opposite poles facing each other.

15. A magnetic escapement for dispensing straightsided articles intowork positions, which comprises:

a dispensing position;

means for feeding the articles end to end to the dispensing position;

means for keeping the articles in the dispensing position until they areto be dispensed;

means for moving the work positions past the dispensing position incooperation therewith; magnetic meansfixed in spaced relation to eachwork position for movement therewith; and

means, responsive to the magnetic means, for disengaging the articlesfrom the means for keeping said articles in the dispensing position sothat they escape into the work positions.

16. An escapement according to claim 15, wherein the means for feedingthe articles includes a vibratory feeder, and a guide tube, one end ofwhich is at the dis pensing position, and the means for keepingthearticles in the dispensing position includes a ledge.

17. An escapement according to claim 16, wherein the means for movingthe work positions moves them arcuately, the magnetic means arepermanent ring magnets, and the means for disengaging the articlesincludes a permanent ring magnet to make it responsive to the magneticmeans.

18. A method of dispensing articles, which comprises the steps of:

arranging the articles in a column;

producing a magnetic field in a predetermined relationship to, and formovement with, a holding position into which an article is to bedispensed from the column;

engaging the articles in the column with a latch to support the articlesin the column;

moving the holding position and its field toward the column of articlesto withdraw the latch from engagement with' the articles and releaseoneof the articles; and

moving the holding position and its field further in the same directionto return the latch to engagement with the articles in the column toagain support the articles remaining in the column whereby the articlesare individually dispensed into the article holding position.

19. A method for dispensing an article, which comprises the steps of:

feeding the article to a dispensing position;

producing a magnetic field in a fixed predetermined relationship to, andfor movement with, a receptacle for the article;

pensing position; means, responsive to a magnetic field, for retainingthe articles in the dispensing position until they are to be dispensed;means for moving the dispensing position and work positions relativelyso that they pass in proximity to each other; and means for producing amagnetic field for disengaging the retaining means from the articles torelease said articles into the work positions and for returning theretaining means to engagement with the articles, the field producingmeans having a fixed space relation to the work positions for movementtherewith.

1. A method of dispensing articles, which comprises the steps of:arranging the articles in a column; producing a magnetic field in apredetermined relationship to, and for movement with, each of aplurality of holding positions into each of which an article is to bedispensed from the column; engaging the articles in the column with alatch to support the articles in the column; moving each holdingposition and its field in sequence toward the column of articles towithdraw the latch from engagement with the articles to release them;and moving each holding position and its field further in the samedirection to return the latch to engagement with the articles in thecolumn to again support the articles remaining in the column whereby thearticles are individually dispensed into the article holding positions.2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of arranging thearticles includes vibratory feeding of the articles end to end.
 3. Amethod according to claim 2, wherein the latch moves linearly into andout of engagement with the articles, and the holding positions movearcuately.
 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic fieldis produced by ring-type permanent magnetics and another such magnet isfixed to the latch and oppositely polarized so that the latch isresponsive to the magnets positioned relative to the holding position.5. A method according to claim 1, wherein both the latch and the holdingpositions move arcuately.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein boththe latch and the holding positions move linearly.
 7. A method ofdispensing articles, which comprises the steps of: feeding the articlesto a dispensing position, said position having a ledge for retaining thearticles and a latch, responsive to a magnetic field, working incooperation with the ledge to disengage the articles therefrom;positioning a magnet in fixed relation to and for movement with each ofa plurality of holding positions into each of which an article is to bedispensed; moving each holding position and its magnet in sequence intoalignment with the dispensing position to attract the latch anddisengage one of the articles from the ledge; and moving each holdingposition and its magnet further in the same direction to return thelatch to its initial position to enable the ledge to retain theremaining articles, whereby the articles are dispensed individually intothe holding positions.
 8. An apparatus for dispensing articles, whichcomprises: means for constraining the articles in an alignedrelationship; means for moving a plurality of work positionsindividually in a first direction past and in cooperation with thearticle constraining means; magnetic means mounted in a spacedrelationship to each work position for movement therewith; and means,mounted for movement relative to the constraining means and responsiveto the magnetic means, for releaSing the articles from the constrainingmeans into the work positions upon movement of the releasing means in asecond direction opposite to the first direction, and for then retainingthe remaining articles in the constraining means upon the movement ofthe releasing means in the first direction, whereby the articles aredispensed individually into the work positions.
 9. An apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the work positions and the magnetic meansand the means for individually releasing and retaining the articles movearcuately.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means forindividually releasing and retaining the articles moves linearly.
 11. Anapparatus for dispensing shouldered articles into work positions, whichcomprises: means for feeding the articles in a column to the workpositions, each of which accepts one article; means for moving the workpositions past the column of articles in cooperation with the feedingmeans; magnetic means fixed to the work-position moving means in spacedrelation to the work positions for movement therewith; a latch forengaging the shoulder of one of the articles, the latch being slideablymounted with respect to the feeding means and responsive to the magneticmeans, so that the latch is withdrawn from engagement with the shoulderof the most advanced article in the column by the magnetic meansapproaching the feeding means, and is returned to engagement with theshoulder of the mext article by further movement of the magnetic meanstoward the feeding means, to release each article into one of the workpositions.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the latchincludes a permanent magnet to enhance its responsiveness to themagnetic means.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein themeans for moving the work positions is a rotary disc and the feedingmeans includes a vibratory feed.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 13,wherein the magnetic means and the permanent magnet of the latch arering magnets magnetized axially with opposite poles facing each other.15. A magnetic escapement for dispensing straight-sided articles intowork positions, which comprises: a dispensing position; means forfeeding the articles end to end to the dispensing position; means forkeeping the articles in the dispensing position until they are to bedispensed; means for moving the work positions past the dispensingposition in cooperation therewith; magnetic means fixed in spacedrelation to each work position for movement therewith; and means,responsive to the magnetic means, for disengaging the articles from themeans for keeping said articles in the dispensing position so that theyescape into the work positions.
 16. An escapement according to claim 15,wherein the means for feeding the articles includes a vibratory feeder,and a guide tube, one end of which is at the dispensing position, andthe means for keeping the articles in the dispensing position includes aledge.
 17. An escapement according to claim 16, wherein the means formoving the work positions moves them arcuately, the magnetic means arepermanent ring magnets, and the means for disengaging the articlesincludes a permanent ring magnet to make it responsive to the magneticmeans.
 18. A method of dispensing articles, which comprises the stepsof: arranging the articles in a column; producing a magnetic field in apredetermined relationship to, and for movement with, a holding positioninto which an article is to be dispensed from the column; engaging thearticles in the column with a latch to support the articles in thecolumn; moving the holding position and its field toward the column ofarticles to withdraw the latch from engagement with the articles andrelease one of the articles; and moving the holding position and itsfield further in the same direction to return the latch to engagementwith the articles in the column to again support the articles remainingin the column whereby the articles are individually dispensed into thearticle holding position.
 19. A method for dispensing an article, whichcomprises the steps of: feeding the article to a dispensing position;producing a magnetic field in a fixed predetermined relationship to, andfor movement with, a receptacle for the article; engaging the articlewith a latch which is responsive to a magnetic field; moving thedispensing position and receptacle and field relative to each other todecrease the distance between the position and receptacle so that thelatch is withdrawn from engagement with the article to release it; andcontinuing the same relative movement of the position and receptacle andfield to return the latch.
 20. A magnetic escapement for dispensingarticles from a dispensing position into work positions, whichcomprises: means for feeding the articles to the dispensing position;means, responsive to a magnetic field, for retaining the articles in thedispensing position until they are to be dispensed; means for moving thedispensing position and work positions relatively so that they pass inproximity to each other; and means for producing a magnetic field fordisengaging the retaining means from the articles to release saidarticles into the work positions and for returning the retaining meansto engagement with the articles, the field producing means having afixed space relation to the work positions for movement therewith.